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Above average style for the above average bust.Mon, 30 Mar 2015 23:11:42 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.0.1HOURGLASSYhttps://feedburner.google.comMaking Ithttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HOURGLASSY/~3/dc9hyo_LVlQ/
http://hourglassy.com/2015/03/making-it/#respondMon, 30 Mar 2015 23:11:42 +0000http://hourglassy.com/?p=17667I’m in the middle of writing a post about my interview with the exciting new Canadian full-bust designer Miriam Baker, but it won’t be finished by today, so if you visit her website and have a burning question, be sure to ask it in the comments so I can cover it in my post (of course I’ve already asked about price range and sizes!).

Meanwhile, I truly am learning to sew a classic white shirt. It’s taken me almost two years to reach this point, but last week I finally attached a collar and collar stand to the yoke of a practice shirt I’m making for Mr. Campbell. The same consultant who is teaching me to sew has also finished correcting my 8M pattern, so I’ll be sewing some practice 8M’s, too. (Let me know if you’re interested in purchasing an as-is practice 8M for the cost of the materials and shipping.) Once the new pattern is graded, I may sew the 2M and 16M samples to test that everything measures to spec, but ideally I’d like to find a real sample maker for those (and those samples may be for sale, too).

Facing my fear of sewing is turning out to be incredibly gratifying and rewarding, so I hope you’ll excuse my smug look in the picture below. It’s also extremely laborious. I’ve spent more time ripping out seams than sewing them.

]]>http://hourglassy.com/2015/03/making-it/feed/0http://hourglassy.com/2015/03/making-it/Off the Rack ~ Panache Envy Bra Reviewedhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HOURGLASSY/~3/GAqfDuKiO50/
http://hourglassy.com/2015/03/off-the-rack-panache-envy-bra-reviewed/#commentsFri, 27 Mar 2015 18:19:09 +0000http://hourglassy.com/?p=17649In the aftermath of Curve, each member of the Hourglassy team received a sample bra from Panache. This week I’ll be reviewing mine, the Panache Envy in black, size 30G.

The last time I tried Panache Superbra (as opposed to Panache Cleo) was several years ago. I was desperately in need of a strapless bra, and the Panache Porcelain molded strapless was the only thing I could find, as the Deco strapless had not yet been introduced and I was still relatively new to the small-band-big-cup world and just wasn’t aware of any other brands.

The Porcelain was a terrible fit on me: way too shallow and wires way too wide. I used it for the event at which it was necessary, and then I basically wrote Panache off as simply not being the brand for me. But last year I tried a random Panache bra with three-part cups in a brick and mortar store, and was pleasantly surprised at how well it fit. So you can imagine my excitement when a brand rep at Curve offered to send me a sample.

Since I haven’t worn Superbra in so long, I deferred to her recommendation on what bra I should try. I stated that I typically wear 28GG or 30G in Cleo depending on the design, and am currently waffling between 28G/30FF and 28GG/30G depending on brand. She said a lot of people find Panache to run tight (I usually do; most of my Cleos are 30 bands), and since I’m already taking the larger cup in Cleo I should do the same for Superbra. She suggested the Envy as a good starter bra and size 30G. I chose the black colorway in part because black dye tends to make fabric less stretchy, so I thought that would make the 30 band even tighter and closer to a 28.

Verdict: I am a total Panache Superbra convert!

However, I have to admit Envy is not a perfect fit for my shape (narrow root, very full on bottom). But let’s start with the good first! Here’s the manufacturer’s photo:

(Please ignore the weirdly Photoshopped cleavage.)

It’s pretty basic, right? But it’s hiding a fun surprise…

The bottom portion is actually houndstooth fabric! One of my favorite prints, this is actually my third houndstooth bra.

There’s also a detail on the underside that I really enjoy:

Criss-crossed band trim!

The construction—a single vertical seam, a horizontal seam, and a side panel—gives excellent uplift and pulls the breast tissue inward. There’s no east-west look here at all.

Further, the stretch lace on the top portion isdivine. It’s really stretchy yet bounces right back, and feels very soft and not at all scratchy or itchy. There’s no ribbon or sewn hem at the top of the lace, meaning this would be an excellent choice for full-on-top ladies who worry about the top edge cutting in. Plus, unlike a lot of other cut and sew bras I own, I don’t get even the tiniest bit of rippling on my smaller boob side where the lace meets the lower portion (*cough* Freya) or along the center vertical seam (*cough* Bravissimo).

This is perhaps a minor thing, but I also quite appreciate how thin the straps are on this bra. Maybe I’m just used to Freya’s somewhat clunky-looking elastic-esque straps, but these look much nicer.

Finally, I’m really pleased with the overall shape. It’s very round and uplifted, yet has just the slightest downward slope on the upper half of my boob, giving a nice, natural profile.

Sadly, despite all my positive findings, there are some definite fit issues. First up, the 30 band is too big. Right off the bat, I’m wearing it on the tightest hook and it’s still sloping up my back just enough that I can feel it. In fact, when I swapped bras to take some photos of it on me, the Panache band was sitting at least an inch above the slightly red mark where the previous bra’s band had been sitting. The band is really stretchy and comfortable, so I have no doubt that a 28 would be perfect.

Unfortunately, the Envy starts at 30! Of the seven Panache bras from the Autumn/Winter 2015 collection that start at 28, only the Andorra has similar construction to Envy, so that one would be next on my to-try list. (But I really want the houndstooth!) I really don’t understand why Panache’s bras don’t all start at 28 when many of them have similar construction to one another. What is the logic of having half of them at 28 and half at 30?

Moving on, the next couple issues are things I deal with all the time. First, the wires are a little too wide. In this next photo, I’ve got my thumb placed where my breast tissue stops, about an inch in from the wire:

It’s not that big a deal. I still feel supported, and I’ve certainly experienced waaaaaaay wider wires among other brands. But I’d still prefer narrower if I had a choice.

Next is that the bra is slightly too shallow in the base of the cups. It’s causing me to experience the “orange in a glass effect,” meaning my breast tissue can’t squeeze all the way into the cup base, so instead the cup is folding over and the underwire is being pushed further down my ribcage instead of resting directly below my breast tissue.

Folded over cup from front.

Folded over cup in profile. Here, you can clearly see the unfilled space and improper wire placement.

Finally, and again this is a common issue for me, the straps are set a little too far out to the side for my arms, leading to some chafing along my armpit. You can really see the way it’s digging in when I place these photos next to each other:

As I said in the beginning, despite these issues, I would still consider myself a Panache convert. They’re all issues that I experience with a lot of brands, but with Panache it’s much more minor. For example, Bravissimo has much worse shallowness (with some models, anyway) and Curvy Kate has way worse arm-chafing due to wide-set straps. I love the stretch lace with a passion and appreciate the attention to detail.

I think ladies who would get the best fit in Panache Envy would be women with fairly average shape: neither super full nor super shallow, neither super wide nor super narrow root, and neither a broad nor particularly small frame. The stretch lace does mean that very full-on-top ladies could do well in the brand, though. I’ll definitely be returning to Panache in the future…but I’ll also only be ordering from companies with a good return policy.

Disclosure: This bra was received as a review sample. All opinions are my own and based entirely on my experience.

(Note: Fitting In is fitting into Mia’s Best Breasts Forward spot today.)

Love lift us up where we belong

Where the eagles fly, on a mountain high….

Was that song an Oscar winner? Marvelous ending song to An Officer and a Gentleman where Richard Gere in his dress whites picks up Debra Winger and carries her off. A. Perfect. Movie. Ending.

You know what was a perfect ending to my first day at Curve? Being fitted by The. Fit Specialist. from Eveden. Darlene and I popped into Eveden Fit School and learned along with Fashion Merchandising students from Marist about the history of the bra and fit concerns. Check here for a brief history lesson.

Then it was time for a fitting.

Most of my adult life, I’ve worn a 40-something. When asked my size, I say “I’m in the neighborhood of a ____,” because frankly, it really does depend on the bra. The specific bra. I’d been fit into a 40H in a whole slew of Eveden bras in last winter’s visit to Lion’s Lair in Islamorada. Elomi seems to love my shape. In a year’s time, that batch was quite stretched out and last month I picked up some Prima Donna bras at Le Piège des Boobies in Brooklyn. I’d also lost a bit of weight, and wasn’t surprised the band size went down. I was wearing a Prima Donna 38I when I got to Curve.

Freddy first put me into a 38K (US)/ 38H (UK) size bra. It had a nice lift like my Prima Donna, but still with plenty of room in the band and a little room in the cup. Out came the tape measure–36. Ah! We try a smaller band. This one tacks better. My Elomi size: 36K (US)/ 36H (UK). The right bra has got me up where I belong.

I did not want to take that sucker off. Now I know I once again need new bras. We had a peek later in the week at the rest of the Eveden offerings, after which, a shopping trip is in order. Coming down from a 40 band size to 36 opens up a new slew of brands. Elomi still loves my shape, and I’ll pick up a few of those. I like to have enough bras to get through to a weekend to do laundry and have enough dry time. My ideal, money-is-no-object, shopping list:

A few more in more black.

At least 2 flesh tone. I’m pale, so the ubiquitous beige is actually dark on me. I look for the palest pink I can find to wear under white dress shirts.

1 red. Because.

1 Navy and 1 Turquoise — again, just because. Actually, it’s because I like to match the bra color to my clothing color and I wear a lot of blue and teal.

Some fashion colors and fun patterns.

Sports Tank. I have the Panache, but I’m eager to try the Freya version I saw at Eveden. I don’t want a situation where I skip a workout because my bra needs to dry. I always want another one ready to go.

Then bikini tops in as many colors as I can find. Why? This is my under-a-sundress bra alternative. The straps are going to show, no matter what I do. I prefer that it be of something meant to show.

]]>http://hourglassy.com/2015/03/fitting-in-up-where-we-belong/feed/0http://hourglassy.com/2015/03/fitting-in-up-where-we-belong/Loungewear Layering for Big Busts with BreastNest and Bra:30http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HOURGLASSY/~3/MjchMsCXd1A/
http://hourglassy.com/2015/03/loungewear-layering-for-big-busts-with-breastnest-and-bra30/#respondTue, 24 Mar 2015 21:48:44 +0000http://hourglassy.com/?p=17627It won’t work when it gets hot, but for now I only want to wear my Bra:30 tank with the BreastNest underneath (the BreastNest was also reviewed by Mia.). The Bra:30 stabilizes my breasts and keeps them from going too East-West, and it hides the hideous BreastNest. Meanwhile, the BreastNest wraps everything in super softness and prevents sweaty skin-on-skin contact. It’s a perfect functional combination. If both companies would work together to create a summer-friendly version, I’d wear it year-round.

As you can see from the photo below, the longer Bra:30 Tummy Tucker would be better for hiding the untucked BreastNest.

There’s no lift, but there’s plenty of comfort and security.

Always on the hunt for yet another large bust lounge option, my ears perked up at Curve last month when Kim Caldwell (32D bra fitter extraordinaire, formerly of Linda’s, now of Hurray Kimmay) mentioned Peach Uplifting tops. I haven’t been able to try them yet, but I’d love it if the spaghetti strap cami worked for me. Of course I’m skeptical of any sizing that doesn’t take cup size into consideration, but Bra:30 and BreastNest pleasantly surprised me, so I’m going to hope for good things from this product.

]]>http://hourglassy.com/2015/03/loungewear-layering-for-big-busts-with-breastnest-and-bra30/feed/0http://hourglassy.com/2015/03/loungewear-layering-for-big-busts-with-breastnest-and-bra30/The Celebrity D+ List: Jill Scotthttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HOURGLASSY/~3/m5jj0sZzIQY/
http://hourglassy.com/2015/03/the-celebrity-d-list-jill-scott/#respondTue, 24 Mar 2015 00:37:03 +0000http://hourglassy.com/?p=17616Since Mia has such excellent taste, I had to click on this video when she posted it on Facebook last Tuesday. The singer’s voice gave me chills. And visually, I’m mesmerized by the way she carries herself.

asf
]]>http://hourglassy.com/2015/03/the-celebrity-d-list-jill-scott/feed/0http://hourglassy.com/2015/03/the-celebrity-d-list-jill-scott/Off the Rack ~ Autumn/Winter 2015 Curve Coverage Part III: Freya & Fantasiehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HOURGLASSY/~3/qlgeeXeYunM/
http://hourglassy.com/2015/03/off-the-rack-autumnwinter-2015-curve-coverage-part-iii-freya-fantasie/#respondFri, 20 Mar 2015 12:59:39 +0000http://hourglassy.com/?p=17571Apologies for my absence last week, dear readers. I really wanted to do my Eveden post as soon as possible, but then I got swamped with work! Finally, here is my overly excited report on Freya and Fantasie’s latest and upcoming offerings. This is going to be an image-heavy post, with explanations of each item located after each photo.

First up, Fantasie lingerie:

This was the first item pulled for us, and Darlene and I were pretty much swooning over the lovely print. “Alicia” in blossom print. Plunge bra 32-38 C & 30-38 D-G, side support bra 30-40 D-FF & 30-38 D-J. Release date May 2015

I really enjoyed the candy pink coloring of this baby. The cream one would make a lovely bridal set, and includes a molded strapless, padded half-cup (also in pink), side support bra (also in pink), and basque, along with high-waisted briefs, regular briefs, thong, suspender belt, and even a garter. What a collection! The “print” on these is actually a super soft velvet. I was a huge fan.

Easily my favorite Fantasie piece of the entire collection. This gorgeous Japanese-inspired print immediately made me think of a kimono or Ukiyo-e (woodblock) print. It also felt really silky and nice.

I’m super confused, however, because it’s missing from the AW15 lookbook. Somehow I forgot to take the previous season’s book, which features items being released right now, but it’s not on Fantasie’s website either. So I have no idea of the release date and I was only able to collect size information from other bloggers, so this is not complete: “Clementine” side support bra in 30-40 D-FF & 30-38 G-H.

In any case, here’s a closeup of the sheer back of those cheeky panties. Love it!

Next up is Freya lingerie, which, oh gosh—so much to love!! Some of this stuff is from the collection that’s out right now and some is from AW15.

Of course I have to start with Deco! I totally adore this neon yellow set with black and white animal print straps. You can even choose a thong in all print with neon yellow trim for a less monochromatic matching set. I swear, I never get tired of neon citrus colors (lemon, lime, and orange).

Another Deco! Apparently I’m a sucker for neon blue as well, though this was more of a super saturated sky blue than a neon in reality. Love that black trim. It’s also coming out in purple with neon pink accents. Includes a J-hook in back.

Next season will also see the addition of neon pink (though I think it looks like orange) and black (continuity). Same size range, release date June 2015.

Starlet brings me to Freya’s next big innovation—mix-and-match panties called “Fancies.” Here’s the blue Starlet bra with its matching briefs and a pair of Fancies on the bottom:

And here are all the colors being released Dec 2014 through April 2015:

The idea with these boy-short and Brazilian panties is that you can match them with several bras from the season. I think it’s really clever and the styles are cute. However, I’m a little disappointed by the price point. These aren’t as upscale as the other matching underwear in terms of materials and construction, but they have almost the same price point at $26-$28 (compared to $28-$30). I’m sorry, but I will never pay more than $15 for a pair of panties, no matter how well they match my bras.

Here is a design that I’m desperate to try, as much for experimentation’s sake as because I like the style. I don’t really care about the leopard print (though that lilac trim at least makes it a little different), but check out these details:

Keyhole and very deep plunge.

Single hook and eye—single??

Extra narrow strap (on the left).

The narrower plunge strap on top of the padded half-cup version. It’s 3mm smaller than the half-cup and 7mm smaller than the GG-K balcony, according to the lookbook.

The keyhole, straps, plunge, and band design are unlike anything Freya’s made before. I really, really want to check out this bra to see how it feels and how supportive it is. Plus, the AW15 colorway is way more up my alley:

Halloween colors!!

When the Hourglassy crew was part of a focus group at the Eveden NY office some time ago, several of the other busty ladies present said they wanted all the delicate trappings of smaller bust bras (thin straps, single hook, less cup coverage, etc), and I think this bra fits that bill. So kudos to Eveden for listening! Of course, the plunge stops at G, but I have a hard time believing such a dainty design would be supportive enough for K cups, which is what the traditional balcony version goes up to.

Lastly, I just need to point out the gorgeous jade color new to the basic (but excellent fitting on me!) Rio bra. And I also enjoy the back of the thong. It’s, like, half brief and half thong. Interesting (and maybe more comfortable than a regular string thong?).

Rio in “jade” plunge balcony: 32-38 B, 30-38 C-D, 28-38 DD-H.

Next up is Fantasie swimwear.

I could take or leave this print, but I’m thrilled that a large-cup lingerie company is offering a one-strap swimsuit. It’s so on trend!

Inside is a full-on underwire bra with adjustable band.

“Cayman” comes in a balcony bikini top up to HH, bandeau up to G, tankini up to H, two swim bottoms, a maxi dress, and the asymmetric one-piece in 32-38 D-G. Release date July 2015.

I don’t usually go for obviously tropical prints on swimwear, but something about these layers of green with just pops of pomegranate really spoke to me. “Antigua” comes in a full-cup bikini top up to H, bandeau up to G, tankini with adjustable sides (shown here) up to H, a one-piece suit up to J, two bottoms, and a long sarong.

That’s all that really caught my eye among Fantasie’s swim offerings, but Freya had lots for me to get excited about.

First up, speaking of on-trend asymmetrical swimwear…

Oh my god, what is this?? Holy crap, it’s a gold foil, stripper-chic, cut-out monokini. This is so far from my style, but I am sooooo happy Freya is making this. It only goes up to an F cup, but that’s still a lot bigger than the boobs that will fit in the completely support-less strips of spandex these suits are usually made of.

The inside features hidden underwires and a non-adjustable clasp. And if you want the gold amazingness of the fabric, but prefer something a little more traditional, there’s also a halter bikini that goes up to FF:

I’d be tempted to just buy the bottoms and pair them with a solid black or white top.

Augh, loooooove the watermelon and coordinating watermelon seed print! I want to buy every item in this group and mix and match them. I think it’d be so cute to pair the fruit print on top with the seed print on bottom (or vice versa).

“Watermelon” comes in a wired halter bikini up to H, padded bandeau up to G, wired halter tankini up to G, two bottoms, and a bandeau dress. The seeds (“Pip”) come in a wired halter bikini up to H, sweetheart padded bikini up to GG, two bottoms, and a one-piece up to FF. Release date: February 2015.

Moving into a sportier look, we have “Revival” in “Surf,” with just a touch of neon. It also comes in an indigo base with fuschia and white accents. On offer is a padded bandeau top up to GG, sweetheart padded top (shown here) up to GG, padded bandeau tankini up to GG, and two bottoms; “Indigo” also comes in a third bottom and a bandeau one-piece up to GG.

Continuing the trend of sporty + neon, here is the swimsuit I am utterly obsessed with! I actually bought this from Asos earlier this week and am waiting for its delivery. Hello, a longline bandeau top with sporty black accents? In neon?? With high-waisted bottoms??? It’s like Freya read my mind! I cannot wait to try this suit.

“Bondi” in “Vibe” also comes in a padded sweetheart top up to GG and a soft triangle up to F, plus two bottoms and a swim skirt (the longline goes up to G). I’m not as big a fan of the sweetheart top because the pink strip at the top is narrower and continues onto the straps, whereas I’d much prefer the straps stay black like the longline and the soft cups.

This suit is also coming out in a “Seaspray” color combo that I’m even more in love with in August:

Soft triangle top and classic brief.

I’m really disappointed (really), however, that it’s not being released in the longline or the high-waisted bottoms. WHY NOT?? I love the way the soft triangle cups look, but they stop at an F cup for crying out loud. That’s too small to even sister size into unless I want a huge, loose band. It also kills me that the two bikini bottom options are just solid instead of featuring the accent color at the waistband.

Continuing with the neons is the delightfully Barbie-esque hot pink, polka dot “Bon Bon,” available in a sweetheart padded top up to GG, padded halter (seen here) up to GG, padded plunge up to J, bandeau tankini up to GG, and two choices of bottoms. Release date May 2015.

Last up is the Saved by the Bell-looking “Tribal Tax.” Again I love the black trim, and I’m a big fan of this “mid-line” padded bandeau top, which goes up to G. This print also comes in a sweetheart padded top up to HH, and there are two bottoms.

Whew! That’s all of it. And that’s all for my Curve Expo coverage this go-round.

]]>http://hourglassy.com/2015/03/off-the-rack-autumnwinter-2015-curve-coverage-part-iii-freya-fantasie/feed/0http://hourglassy.com/2015/03/off-the-rack-autumnwinter-2015-curve-coverage-part-iii-freya-fantasie/Fauvey Finds from Fantasiehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HOURGLASSY/~3/o5wQO5jJhG8/
http://hourglassy.com/2015/03/fauvey-finds-from-fantasie/#respondTue, 17 Mar 2015 03:36:04 +0000http://hourglassy.com/?p=17555As Eveden began to phase out its high-end Fauve line last year, we were assured that so many Fantasie bras look like Fauve, we wouldn’t even miss the brand when it disappeared. So when Leah, Patsy and I visited the Eveden showroom in February, I asked to see all the “Fauvey” bras from Fantasie. Here are the three Fauviest–beginning with my favorite, the Francesca, which ships in September.

It’s the Swiss embroidery and diamante bow details, plus the lace on the straps and down each side of the five hook-and-eye fastenings that make this longline so Fauve-like. Even the suggested retail price is Fauvey: $125. Part of the Blue and Black sub-category that Sweets reported on in her trend report, I love how the multiple shade of blue stand out from the black base.

The longline will be available in 30-38 D-G . It will also come in a vertical seam bra in 30-38 D-FF and 30-36G for $82, as well as the side support bra you see below in 30-40 D-FF and 30-38 G-GG for $86.

Bottoms are available in a brief (below), short and Brazilian thong, retailing for $46, $50 and $44, respectively.

Based on the Fauve Emmanuelle, the Fantasie Mae has an actual Fauve pedigree. Its Fauviness also derives from its Italian flock print, jewel-trimmed bows and lace-trimmed straps.

The lipstick color above will ship in May and comes in a padded half cup (30-38 D-G) and side support (30-42 DD-F; 30-40 FF, G; 30-38 GG-H), plus brief and Brazilian thong. The champagne color (bridal and continuity) shipped in February and includes a strapless (30-40 DD-E; 30-38 F-G; 30-36GG) and a basque (30-38 D-G), plus high-waisted brief, suspender belt and garter in addition to brief and Brazilian thong. A new black continuity will ship in August. It comes in a strapless but not a basque.

Finally, here is a peek at the Marianna padded half-cup bra in magenta (30-38 D-G). It also comes in a side-support plunge (30-40 D-FF; 30-38 G; 30-36 GG). For those of us sad about Panache Masquerade’s demise, this half-cup almost looks Masquerade-y, doesn’t it? And I’m excited that the Marianna also comes in a gorgeous chemise.

(The fresh Clementine that Leah is going to show you will also help me forget!)

]]>http://hourglassy.com/2015/03/fauvey-finds-from-fantasie/feed/0http://hourglassy.com/2015/03/fauvey-finds-from-fantasie/Legwear Looks from Emilio Cavallinihttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HOURGLASSY/~3/T4DnK4ie8CA/
http://hourglassy.com/2015/03/legwear-looks-from-emilio-cavallini/#commentsFri, 13 Mar 2015 22:51:45 +0000http://hourglassy.com/?p=17538Leah needs to postpone her giant Eveden writeup, but I know you won’t complain if I share some of the tights we saw from Emilio Cavallini while at Curve. Tops and dresses may not always fit our boobs, but tights will never let us down.

There are even matching skirts in these exact patterns, colors and textures.

]]>http://hourglassy.com/2015/03/legwear-looks-from-emilio-cavallini/feed/3http://hourglassy.com/2015/03/legwear-looks-from-emilio-cavallini/Best Breasts Forward ~ Having a Fithttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HOURGLASSY/~3/X-pMXWHodTA/
http://hourglassy.com/2015/03/best-breasts-forward-having-a-fit/#commentsFri, 13 Mar 2015 02:52:08 +0000http://hourglassy.com/?p=17532I learned so much at Curve this year, but the one thing that really stuck with me is that when it comes to bras there are many opinions about “fit”. I truly believe that there is a difference between “personal preference” and “fit”.

Always on the lookout for bras that will work for me, Darlene encouraged me to visit a brand that makes bras up to an American N cup in hopes that just maybe the 34 bands would run tight and I could sister size. Instead, the owner of the company told me that my breasts were too low, the wrong shape and my 32 band was too tight. She told me that if a band leaves marks and creates “back fat”, it’s too tight. But that is what I call “personal preference”. My breasts are very heavy and if my band is not snug, the weight of my boobs will push the front band, underwire and all, downward. My band was comfortable to me until she rudely shoved and pulled on it while sucking her teeth and rolling her eyes. That was followed by her measuring me over my sweater and over an inch below where my underwire sat. As for back fat, it’s there because there is fat on my back.

As far as the shape of my breasts in my bras, I always prefer a rounder shape. I do not like cone shaped bras. I don’t like how they look, and because I am full on top, it is difficult to find one that the girls don’t bubble up and out of.

I say all of this because at the end of the day these are my breasts. Helpful tips from others I welcome, but especially when you are in an industry serving the very personal need of your customer, don’t be rude or snarky.

My bras may not fit your taste, but that doesn’t mean they don’t fit.

]]>http://hourglassy.com/2015/03/best-breasts-forward-having-a-fit/feed/2http://hourglassy.com/2015/03/best-breasts-forward-having-a-fit/A New Big Bust Story from Natori: + Support to a U.S. H Cuphttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HOURGLASSY/~3/sHC8-iysDE0/
http://hourglassy.com/2015/03/a-new-big-bust-story-from-natori-support-to-a-u-s-h-cup/#commentsWed, 11 Mar 2015 23:52:48 +0000http://hourglassy.com/?p=17504

Four months ago, a friend told me she was going to the Nordstrom’s in Menlo Park, New Jersey. I’d long been pestering her to get a bra fitting, so I insisted she visit the lingerie department while there. Before sending her off, I measured her underbust at 30″ and suggested she try a 32 band since she didn’t like things too tight. She returned with two Natori Feathers bras in 34DD because the Nordstrom fitter said they had no D+ cup sizes in 32 bands.

If this story took place after April 20, 2015, it could have a very different ending because that’s when Natori will launch Natori + Support, its new full-bust line in 30-42 DD-H (U.S.)*. It’s common knowledge that Nordstrom’s is supposed to carry 32 bands in brands like Freya, but perhaps they need an extra push to carry smaller bands with larger cups from a blockbuster brand like Natori. Natori + Support includes Pure Allure, their large-bust version of the top-selling Feathers bra. So next time my friend goes bra-shopping at Nordstrom’s, maybe the fitter will put her in the right size!

While just as soft to the touch as the Feathers, the Pure Allure uses a power mesh over the cups.

The power mesh and lace extend all the way around.

One of the sales reps loves her Pure Allure so much that she let me take a picture of it on her. She’s wearing a 34G here, but she admitted that she’d been eating out so much that she should be wearing a 34H.

Nice lift and rounded profile.

Now I want to know where she got that dress.

Pure Allure will be available in Black/Charcoal, Natural, Vivid Violet and Light Pansy. (Pure Allure is actually the one style that is also available to a 44 band.) Two more Natori + Support styles that become available on April 20 are Smooth Scroll and Chic Comfort. The retail price for these bras is $66-$74.

Smooth Scroll will be available in Black/Café, Light Mocha/Cashmere, and Rouge/Tulle.

I don’t have a picture of the Chic Comfort, but it’s a basic tee shirt contour bra with a nice sweetheart neckline that will come in Black, Buff, and Wild Orchid.

On May 20 the True Decadence demi contour and True Decadence cut-and-sew arrive in Black/Café, Café/Ivory, and Hot Pink/Cashmere.

Later in the year things REALLY start turning beautiful! I’m most excited about Seduction, shipping September 20 in Gunmetal, Café, and Ayame.

Toujours ships on July 20 in Black/Silver Dusk, Café/Ivory, and Midnight/Slate Blue. The Cranberry/Cashmere below ships on October 20. All three-part cups have a rigid side with a soft top.

Finally, Satin Fleur ships on August 20 in Black, Buff, and Spearmint.The color in this photo is Deco Pink, which ships on November 20.

Naturally, you can expect to find Natori + Support online at Nordstrom’s. For those of you who usually order online, I asked how the bands tend to run and was told that “Natori bands tend to run very true to sizes. That’s why we are so well known for comfort, fit, fabrication, and feel.” So it looks like we’ll need a few reviews to see how “true to sizes” compares to the other big bust brands we’re already familiar with.

Finally, for those of you who want to try the brand in person, here is a list of stores that will carry Natori + Support. If there’s a specific style and size you’re looking for, be sure to tell your store to order it!